The French clubs can refuse to release their players for matches outside the international window (not a problem IMO, that’s the unions being a bit greedy) e.g 4th match in the autumn international series, but more sthey won’t necessarily have the enforced rest breaks that England players playing in the premiership do under the current agreement. The other issue is that they’re worried that players will jump ship to France due to the higher wage cap in play over there and lessen the quality of the premiership. The last is one of the very few areas where the clubs and RFU agree although the cap one England has added higher and the England players are well compensated.

NZ have the same rule, Wales practically do now and Australia have a 60 cap overseas rule.

The Irish clubs come under the control of the union so they almost have complete co from over when their elite players play.

Very strange game of rugby. England absolutely brilliant for a period.

The weird thing about ENgland is that when they are under pressure they just commit loads of penalties. Despite being under the cosh, South Africa never did this. This penalty count is like a disease with us.

Jones getting loads of stick in the press but the fact is we don't look a million miles away from blowing teams away and we lost that came by a very fine margin. If Daly hadn't missed that ball for the try, if Farrell had kicked easy conversion it would be even closer.